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Deacon_Tony560
Guest
Once again we will see folks at Mass that have not been there since Easter. Any suggestions how to reach out to these people in a kind way and invite them to come every week?
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StephanieC
Guest
Something I do from time to time is to simply extend my hand to a neighbor in the pew after the recessional & whisper, “Hi, I’m StephanieC & this is my husband.”
They always introduce themselves back to us!
If this leads to a more prolonged discussion, I just whisper, “We’ll follow you outside & that way we can talk more.”
From that point on, the Holy Spirit is in charge!
They always introduce themselves back to us!
If this leads to a more prolonged discussion, I just whisper, “We’ll follow you outside & that way we can talk more.”
From that point on, the Holy Spirit is in charge!
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ICXCNIKA
Guest
When I was in the Orthodox Church it was a long standing cutome that after Liturgy everyone went to the refrectory for breakfast. It happened in every Orthodox Church I’ve ver been in; Greek, Russian, Serbian, OCA, Antiochean.
I really wish we had that custom in the Roman Catholic Church. What a great way to stop and talk to those who only come once a year.
In Sacramento is a wonderful Church called St. Philomenes. My aunt took us there. Whenever we visit my aunt, that’s where we go to Mass now. After Mass the people in front of us asked us where we were from and spent some time visiting with us. I suppose Christmas/Easter Mass is a good time to get to know people. If they are Catholic and mention something like, “We haven’t been to Mass in awhile” we could say, “We’d love to see you here next Sunday. Maybe we could go out for breakfast.”
I really wish we had that custom in the Roman Catholic Church. What a great way to stop and talk to those who only come once a year.
In Sacramento is a wonderful Church called St. Philomenes. My aunt took us there. Whenever we visit my aunt, that’s where we go to Mass now. After Mass the people in front of us asked us where we were from and spent some time visiting with us. I suppose Christmas/Easter Mass is a good time to get to know people. If they are Catholic and mention something like, “We haven’t been to Mass in awhile” we could say, “We’d love to see you here next Sunday. Maybe we could go out for breakfast.”
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Annunciata
Guest
I know one thing that shouldn’t be done is to single them out by saying things like “Nice to see you again, I haven’t seen you since Easter”… We had a pastor in my previous parish who would point them out in such a manner…I always felt bad for them…certainly didn’t give them a reason for coming back by being embarrassed… he affectionately called them the “Natalini”
:twocents: Annunciata
:twocents: Annunciata
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JCPhoenix
Guest
Stephanie, that’s a wonderful idea!
I have often wished someone from my new parish would introduce themselves…I attend Mass alone usually,. I’m new to the area (fairly) but somehow I always seem to sit somewhere surrounded by families or people who are together. It’s intimidating sometimes…especially when people just turn and leave after Mass.
I’ve learned a few things that I think might be useful to others and I hope to remember when I do happen to be blessed to attend Mass with others.
Remember to pay attention to the people immediately around you; are they with people or there solo? If solo, they may be looking for a friend somehow, or some reason to continue to attend. I have been in this boat many times and I honestly think that in my years away from the Church that on those occasions that I attended, I may have returned earlier had someone “noticed” me. I was always looking for a welcome I didn’t feel like I had.
I know this may seem ridiculous, but from my own experience I believe that there may be others with the same feelings.
Secondly, at one church I attended, a woman who sat near where I usually did took the trouble after Mass do do what you did, Stephanie…she introduced herself, asked my name…and told me to come back…in all sincerity. Unfortunately it was a dissenting parish (I’ve since learned that) but I have to say that it was also the beginning of my 150% return.
Everyone is looking for a place to really call home. For people like myself currently, who is still a stranger in a parish of 500 families or more (or is it 5,000?) I can’t tell if someone is “new”. But I do see the same people every week and can tell who at least some of the regulars are at the Mass I attend.
Sometimes simply taking time to get to know the solo stranger at Mass can bring huge graces either to you or that other, or both!
I have often wished someone from my new parish would introduce themselves…I attend Mass alone usually,. I’m new to the area (fairly) but somehow I always seem to sit somewhere surrounded by families or people who are together. It’s intimidating sometimes…especially when people just turn and leave after Mass.
I’ve learned a few things that I think might be useful to others and I hope to remember when I do happen to be blessed to attend Mass with others.
Remember to pay attention to the people immediately around you; are they with people or there solo? If solo, they may be looking for a friend somehow, or some reason to continue to attend. I have been in this boat many times and I honestly think that in my years away from the Church that on those occasions that I attended, I may have returned earlier had someone “noticed” me. I was always looking for a welcome I didn’t feel like I had.
I know this may seem ridiculous, but from my own experience I believe that there may be others with the same feelings.
Secondly, at one church I attended, a woman who sat near where I usually did took the trouble after Mass do do what you did, Stephanie…she introduced herself, asked my name…and told me to come back…in all sincerity. Unfortunately it was a dissenting parish (I’ve since learned that) but I have to say that it was also the beginning of my 150% return.
Everyone is looking for a place to really call home. For people like myself currently, who is still a stranger in a parish of 500 families or more (or is it 5,000?) I can’t tell if someone is “new”. But I do see the same people every week and can tell who at least some of the regulars are at the Mass I attend.
Sometimes simply taking time to get to know the solo stranger at Mass can bring huge graces either to you or that other, or both!
S
StephanieC
Guest
At the last parish I was new to, I was sitting alone behind a woman and her young daughter. After the recessional, she turned around and introduced herself to me & said, “I always feel as though I’ve just received a beautiful gift in the Eucharist, and I just have to unwrap and share it with one of my parish family members!”
That was over a year ago, & we’ve both moved to other parish boundaries, but we became instant friends & I am still so thankful that she reached out to me like that.
I think that God knew there would be introverts & extroverts all jumbled together in His family…but guess who He gave the responsibility of hospitality to?
Our behavior at Christmas & Easter really should be no different than at any other Mass. The harvest is just a little more plenty!
That was over a year ago, & we’ve both moved to other parish boundaries, but we became instant friends & I am still so thankful that she reached out to me like that.
I think that God knew there would be introverts & extroverts all jumbled together in His family…but guess who He gave the responsibility of hospitality to?
Our behavior at Christmas & Easter really should be no different than at any other Mass. The harvest is just a little more plenty!
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